Blood drive held in memory of stabbing victims in Rockford

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Rockford Post Office and the Rock River Valley Blood Center are teaming up for a blood drive in remembrance of two deadly stabbing crimes that happened one year ago this week.

On March 24th, 2024, a man walked into the Rockford Walmart on Northridge Drive and fatally stabbed an employee.

According to court documents, the man who killed 18-year-old Jason Jenkins inside the store is 28-year-old Timothy Carter, of Cabery, Illinois, a small town about 140 miles southeast of Rockford.

On March 27, 2024, four people were killed in a random stabbing and beating spree on the city’s east side. A Rockford man, Christian Soto, 23, is charged in that case.

One of the victims of the deadly stabbing spree was letter carrier Jay Larson, who had worked with the United States Post Office for 25 years.

“On that day last year, there were lots of traumas going on in our community. And that led to a very high blood usage. So it is the blood on the shelves ahead of time that saves lives,” said Rock River Valley Blood Center’s Maggie Anderson. “You never know when you’re going to wake up and need a blood transfusion. So we need the blood before events like that so we can be prepared.”

The Rock River Valley Blood Center supplies blood for 14 area hospitals in nine counties.

The Rock River Valley Blood Center operates four locations across the Stateline: 418 N. Longwood Street, Rockford; 3065 North Perryville Road, Rockford; 1740 South State Street, Belvidere; and 461 East South Street, Freeport.

Walk-ins are welcome, but an appointment can be scheduled by calling (815) 965-8751.